Sequans, Nationz team up on LTE chipsets

LONDON – LTE chipmaker Sequans Communications SA has been working with Chinese RF chip company Nationz on the development of dual-mode TD-SCDMA/LTE chips for LTE bands 7, 38, 39 and 40, specifically for the Chinese marketplace.

The collaboration is yielding multi-band, multi-mode devices of several types, including mobile routers, CPE, and USB dongles. Initial products will become available around the middle of the year.

Sequans' LTE chips support LTE network around in the world in both time duplex and frequency duplex versions. Sequans offers two LTE platforms: Mont Blanc, optimized for the design of host-less USB modems, CPE, and mobile routers or hotspots; and Andromeda, optimized for handsets and tablet computers which will have a host application processor. Sequans' LTE chips delivering category 4 throughput of up to 150-Mbps in component package that includes synchronous DRAM and measures 10-mm by 10-mm.

"Nationz is known for their design excellence in China and our collaboration with them is yielding valuable devices for Chinese consumers who will benefit greatly from dual-mode TD-SCDMA/LTE solutions," said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO, in a statement. "China has been leading the way in TDD technologies, both TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE, and the new dual-mode Nationz/Sequans products represent a combination of best-in-class technologies and advanced feature functionality."

"Sequans' chips represent the latest and the most advanced in LTE baseband semiconductor technology. Combined with Nationz's RF and TD-SCDMA solutions, our products offer great value that will facilitate a seamless transition for Chinese consumers into the next generation of wireless," said Bin Zhang, vice president of Nationz, in the same statement.

Nationz, formerly known as ZTE IC Design Co. Ltd., is one of more than 90 fabless chip companies profiled in the China Fabless Profile and Database report produced by EE Times Confidential.